Update Your Resume Today!

Imagine that you have a job you enjoy, with 20 plus years of experience in an industry where employment is stable and steady with a reputable company.  It is not your dream job, but it suits your needs and your lifestyle at the moment.  Why do you have to think about your resume? Let alone updating it? Resumes are only for graduates looking to get into an industry or for job seekers right?  Well, that my friend, is a myth.

Having an updated resume is not equivalent to looking for another job.  If anything, updating your resume shows initiative–setting goals, and preparing for the next step.  Your resume is not just a listing of your jobs and where you worked.  It is a road map of where you want to go next.  It is your barometer for measuring how far you have come and what skills you have gained along the way.  It tells your story as a professional and as your own personal brand.  Your resume is your single most important marketing tool.  Updating your resume not only gives you the insight of where you are and where you want to go, it also prepares you for new opportunities and being one step ahead should your current circumstances change abruptly.  And if your employment status changes, an updated resume helps you hit the ground running.

Here is a quick tip for getting ahead with your resume:  review and update your resume at least every six months.  It may sound tedious but use it as an evaluation tool to reflect on where you are in your career, what additional skills you possess, and where you want to go from here.  Of course, prioritize updating any career changes from promotions to assignments to special projects within the given timeframe. 

Whether you are an employee, or a business owner, it is good practice to keep your resume current, especially with the constant changes made to how resumes are pre-screened.  With more companies using HR software to review resumes, using proper keywords allow for algorithms to rank your resume higher.  The higher your resume is ranked, the better the chances of getting that interview.  It is essential to do your research and really tailor your resume to the job you want or the client you want to work with.

In today’s world, your resume comes into two forms:  the physical one and the digital one.  Your physical resume is the traditional resume—it circulates during job hunting season and is sometimes used by current employers to establish credibility with other organizations they work with.  Your digital resume is your LinkedIn profile or your online resume.  Though it sounds about the same– just a difference in format—there is a subtle and yet significant difference: your audience.

Traditional resumes are meant for hiring managers at companies or organizations you are applying for.  Your digital resume puts you in front of recruiters and employers who are searching for potential candidates for jobs openings they need to fill.  There is some crossover where a hiring manager will search for your online profile and a recruiter will ask for your physical resume.  When this happens, consistency between the two formats is vital.  Having one or the other not updated can cost you an opportunity.  Discrepancies between the two will always raise questions.  It is important that the information between the two formats complement each other, if not mirror each other.  If you are updating a physical resume, make sure the same information is on your digital one as well.

Though you might be tempted to maintain only a physical format for your resume, you might consider this: your online presence matters.  LinkedIn is one of the world’s largest online professional network and is the number one social media platform used by Fortune 500 companies.  In 2020, it gained over 467 million users globally.  Creating connections and networking on this platform is definitely different from the other social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.  When utilizing this as your digital resume, make sure you put your best foot forward.  Make sure your profile reflects you, your brand, your business, and your core values.  Potential connections and opportunities often happen through LinkedIn.  An updated profile ensures a lasting first impression.

If you need assistance in updating your LinkedIn account, the Cowe Communications team can provide you with a detailed guide on how to make your LinkedIn profile stand out here.